International
Climate Initiative (IKI)

Climate Change Scenarios for the Congo Basin

As of: March 2019

Objective and activities

The project provided national and regional decision-makers in the COMIFAC (Central African Forests Commission) Member States with climate change scenarios that have been specifically calculated for the Congo Basin. It also analysed existing water resources and calculates water availability as well as flooding and drought risks to allow the development of natural resource management strategies that are adapted to climate change. It quantified the impact of climate change on forestry and on water resources for agriculture and the energy sector, and analysed the effects on the region’s economic and environmental development. This work helped the COMIFAC Member States to adopt a joint negotiating position based on better information that is both up-to-date and scientifically founded.

State of implementation/results

• Project completed
• Global climate models were downscaled to simulate the spectrum of possible climate changes in the Congo region
• Hydrological modelling was carried out to estimate the effects of climate change on the water balance
• 52 concrete adaptation measures were developed that will be able to reduce the probable negative climate impacts
• Researchers and government representatives were trained in the application and use of the results of the modelling
• Synthesis report available online